Tesla Motors Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA) has not yet confirmed the location for its Gigafactory yet, but Nevada is already reaping benefits even if Elon Musk decides to set up his much-anticipated infrastructure elsewhere. Nevada is in the race of finalist, according to the company’s letter to shareholders, last week.
Nevada reaping benefits
Also, the ongoing work at a Tahoe Reno Industrial Center site is mentioned in the letter, the news first cracked by the Reno Gazette-Journal in June.
John Boyd, a principal of New-Jersey-based site selection firm the Boyd Company thinks that Nevada has emerged as the most powerful among other finalists such as cash abundant Texas and California, which will pin the State on the Industrial platform across country.
Nevada is already home to some of the biggest names such as e-commerce giants Amazon, Barnes&Noble and Tesla just adds to it, according to Dave Simonsen, vice president of NAI Alliance’s industrial properties group in Reno. He said that setting up Apple facility at the Reno Technology Park has, also, strengthened Northern Nevada’s reputation as a data center location.
Tesla transforming Nevada’s Image
Simonsen noted that having facilities from Amazon or Apple in the area adds substantially to the region as other companies also start considering the region for research.
However, it will have a significant influence if it is set up in the Reni area. Simonsen said that Tesla Gigafactory is one of its kinds, so it is less likely that other similar companies move here under its influence, but some of the suppliers may find it rationale to move near to the factory.
Mike Kazmierski, president and CEO of the Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada suggested that Tesla considering Nevada has transformed the image of Reno, which was earlier looked as a tourism community rather than a business community.
Lance Gilman, principal with the Tahoe Reno Industrial Center, said that Nevada is locking horns with some of the largest economies in the world such as Texas and California. He added, “And here we are and, by God, we’re in the fight. You just gotta love it.”
Other names in the consideration are New Mexico and Arizona. Tesla is looking for one or more sites to set up to break ground.
